The workshop will address the activities of the European Pilot Production Network (EPPN), including the networking of EU, regional and national projects and pilot installations and services. Actions to integrate these into a complete pilot up-scaling and innovation ecosystems will be discussed, including how EU, regional and national programs may support in particular SMEs access to the facilities.

This new action funded under the NMBP Programme is instrumental in making the “European Pilot Production Network” (EPPN) become the coordination platform envisaged in the area of nanotechnologies and advanced materials up-scaling and pilot actions.

The workshop should be of interest to all pilot/up-scaling facility owners, as well as today and future SME and industry users wishing to take part in the modernisation of European industry.

The networking of pilot projects/lines enables the rapid deployment of new technology and holds an important business potential. Europe must exploit this potential and there is a need to facilitate collaborations, business and to look at value chains across borders.

The EPPN CSA initiative, funded by the European Commission, has the ambition to develop a solid network of European pilot production pilot facilities in the area of nanotechnology and advanced materials, and set up the pillars for its efficient implementation with a sustainable strategy.

Agenda (updates will be published soon at the NANOfutures and EPPN websites)

• 09:00 - Presentation of the European Pilot Production Network (EPPN) and expectations from the EC on the EPPN Innovation Hub CSA
o Hans Hartmann Pedersen, European Commission

• 10:00 – 11:00 – Panel Discussion. The Objective of the panel discussion will be to discuss:
• What are the success criteria for pilot facilities? What makes a pilot facility attractive to users?
• How to facilitate transnational access to pilot facilities?
• The Innovation hubs concept and how to implement and operate succesfully?
• The role of regional/national funding agencies in the promotion and implementation of the Innovation Hubs?
o Magnus Ryde, partner and principal investor of Ryde Invest AB Sweden, Quan VC and Mars capital group in the US.

• 09:00 - Presentation of the European Pilot Production Network (EPPN) and expectations from the EC on the EPPN Innovation Hub CSA
o Hans Hartmann Pedersen, European Commission